Morning Mail: Aukus secrecy, datacentre inflation fears, and unlikely political alliances

Morning everyone. The campaigner and former senator Rex Patrick has achieved many things, but bringing together Jacqui Lambie, Pauline Hanson and David Pocock in one cause – ending secrecy around the storage of Aukus nuclear waste – is among his most notable.

We’re also reporting on fears that datacentres could stoke inflation, and how the mortgage repayment burden is definitively bigger than 36 years ago. Plus, the angry backlash at Donald Trump’s “crypto corruption”, what it means to “get Murdoched”, and England are through to the next round of the World Cup after a rather unconvincing defeat of DR Congo.

Australia

Degree difficulty | Arts degrees will continue to cost $50,000 for another two years, says the man charged with reforming the Morrison-era Job-ready Graduates program.

Exclusive | Jacqui Lambie, Pauline Hanson and David Pocock have formed an unlikely alliance in a push for the government to stop a legal threat against Rex Patrick, after bureaucrats unexpectedly escalated a transparency case to the federal court.

Data boom | Transport for NSW and the Reserve Bank have warned datacentres could take scarce land from logistics firms and housing developments, pushing up prices and overheating the economy.

Mortgage burden | Australia’s national mortgage burden is heavier now than it was when interest rates reached 17% at the end of the 1980s, KPMG says.

Flu fallout | With the arrival of bird flu in Australia we examine what it means for the poultry industry and whether the price of eggs will go up.

World

On the money | Donald Trump has been accused of “brazen crypto corruption” after financial disclosures revealed his family’s cryptocurrency ventures generated more than $1bn in his first year back in the White House. Here are five key takeaways from Trump’s financial disclosures.

‘Sacred duty’ | A rebel group of ultra-conservative Catholics has defied Pope Leo by ordaining bishops without his consent, which they declared a “sacred duty”.

Sudan crimes | The Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing last year, Amnesty International has alleged.

Serpent’s sting | A story widely accused on social media of being written using AI – Jamir Nazir’s story The Serpent in the Grove – has won the Commonwealth short story prize.

Village voice | Victor Willis, the lead singer of the Village People who wrote hit song YMCA, has died age 74.

World Cup

Socceroos latest | Australia are planning to somehow nullify the threat of Egypt’s Mo Salah, perhaps Africa’s most celebrated footballer ever. Plus, are the Socceroos ready for penalties?

Match catch-up | Earlier this morning England went one down to DR Congo and threatened to stay that way until a late Kane double. France are looking imperious after swatting Sweden aside with their stars unleashed.

Off the pitch | England will face Mexico in Mexico City, where three people died ⁠from suffocation as thousands of fans crowded the streets to celebrate their victory over Ecuador yesterday.

What to watch today | Belgium v Senegal are under way with the former’s ageing greats under pressure. At 10am the USA face Bosnia Herzegovina.

Full Story

On the ground in Thailand: what we know about the Australian man charged with murder of a teenager

Guardian reporter Natasha May speaks to Matilda Boseley from Pattaya about the arrest of Simon Carman and the questions it raises about Thailand’s sex tourism industry.

In-depth

In a new book called Getting Murdoched, two former News Corp journalists dissect how Rupert Murdoch’s media outlets have perfected a technique of “pitilessly and repeatedly” trying to undermine people who appear to disagree with the empire’s worldview. Amanda Meade spoke to them and shares some examples from the book.

Not the news

Forget the World Cup: the really big global event taking place in the US this weekend is of course Taylor Swift’s wedding to NFL player Travis Kelce. Elle Hunt has the seven things you need to know.

Sport

Wimbledon | Serena Williams picked up a knee injury while losing to Australia’s Maya Joint and faces a race to be fit enough to play doubles with her sister Venus. Australia’s Daria Kasatkina progressed into the third round with a hard-earned win over Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-4 and will now play the flamboyantly dressed Naomi Osaka tomorrow.

Cycling | The Tour de France begins on Saturday: here’s our stage-by-stage guide.

Cricket | Nat Sciver-Brunt will return to captain England in their T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa. The winners play Australia in the final on Sunday.

Media roundup

KPMG has picked a former SBS boss as its next chair, the Fin Review reports, and is mulling a 20% pay cut for partners amid the ongoing audit leaks scandal. The Telegraph says the NRL has “blown AFL out of the water” with its new $5.3bn TV rights deal. Outgoing Opera House chief Louise Herron tells the Sydney Morning Herald about the time Alan Jones verbally attacked her for resisting racing promotions on the sails.

What’s happening today

Politics | Senator David Pocock’s media conference on a bill to use government land to improve housing supply.

Canberra | Pat Conroy addresses the National Press Club on “progressive patriotism”.

Design | NSW architecture awards.

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Brain teaser

And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.

Quick crossword

Cryptic crossword

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